Can anyone provide breakdown of armor used by the 6th PD in the breakout of Vilnius on 12/13 July 1944?
Information on losses during this operation would also be appreciated if it exists....
Cheers!
6th Panzer Division
- Kamen Nevenkin
- Member
- Posts: 168
- Joined: 01 Aug 2002, 14:10
- Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Just to follow up on Kamen's post.
On 12 July 6.Panzer Division forms two Kampfgruppen:
KGr Pössl (Major Walter Pössl)
I./Pz.Rgt.GD (Major Walter Pössl)
with SS-Falschm.Jäg.Btl.500 (SS-Hstuf. Siegfired Milius) and 2 companies from Falschm.Jäg.Rgt.16 (Major Rudolf Witzig)*,
II.(Spw.)/Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Major Rausche),
3.(Sfl.)/Pz.Art.Rgt.76 (Hptm Kesseler);
KGr Stahl (Oberstlt. Dr. Paul Stahl)
I./Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Hptm. Viktor Richter),
III./Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Hptm. Oehlmann),
2.(Sfl.)/Pz.Art.Rgt.76 (Olt. Przybilla).
KGr Pössl is ordered to advance along the highway to Wilna and establish contact with Gruppe Tolsdorf. On the other hand KGr Stahl has the mission of securing the highway from enemy from the South and North and to form a blocking position at Vievis.
On the next morning, after a short delay, KGr Pössl is the first to move out at 07.30. Both Gen.Maj. von Waldenfels (Div.Kdr.) and Gen.Oberst Reinhardt (C.i.C. Pz.AOK3) go along with the advance group in a half track. The group is closely followed by a large supply column (for Gruppe Tolsdorff and Stahel). The surprise attack succeeds and encounters only light resistance and it's not until it reaches Vievis where it's checked by tank and anti-tank fire. The opposition is nevertheless quickly overran and the group continues its advance towards East. At 12.30, after advancing roughly 50 km into enemy territory KGr Pössl links up with Gruppe Tolsdorff at Rykonty, where it reinforces the latter's positions, while waiting for Gruppe Stahel to arrive from Wilna. In the meantime KGr Stahl also moves out to cover the KGr Pössl's overextended flanks and occupies the blocking positions at Vievus. In the late afternoon the first wounded are being transported back through the lines and until the next morning roughly 5,000 men pass through the narrow 50km corridor. Owing mostly to their own overextended lines, Russians are slowly to react and it's not until evening when they undertake several uncoordinated probe attacks, which are repulsed. On the next day, the Russian flank attacks lead to several critical situation but these too are mastered by support of Panthers and by late afternoon all elements of both KGr Pösll and KGr Stahl are pulled back and occupy new positions E of Kowno.
*Both SS-FJB500 and elements FJR16 participated in the relief effort but it's difficult to determine with which KGr they fought, so they could well have been with KGr Stahl.
Sources:
Paul, Wolfgang: Brennpunkte. Die Geschichte der 6.Panzer-Division (1.leichte). 1937-1945.
Jung, Hans-Joachim: Panzer Soldiers for "God, Honor, Fatherland". The history of Panzerregiment "Großdeutschland.
Schadewitz, Michael: Panzer-Regiment 11, Panzer-Abteilung 65, Panzer-Ersatz- und Ausbildungsabteilung 11 1939-1945
Michaelis, Rolf: Das Falschirmjäger-Bataillon 500/600
Munoz, Antonio: Forgotten Legions
Hinze, Rolf: Ostfront Drama 1944
On 12 July 6.Panzer Division forms two Kampfgruppen:
KGr Pössl (Major Walter Pössl)
I./Pz.Rgt.GD (Major Walter Pössl)
with SS-Falschm.Jäg.Btl.500 (SS-Hstuf. Siegfired Milius) and 2 companies from Falschm.Jäg.Rgt.16 (Major Rudolf Witzig)*,
II.(Spw.)/Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Major Rausche),
3.(Sfl.)/Pz.Art.Rgt.76 (Hptm Kesseler);
KGr Stahl (Oberstlt. Dr. Paul Stahl)
I./Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Hptm. Viktor Richter),
III./Pz.Gren.Rgt.114 (Hptm. Oehlmann),
2.(Sfl.)/Pz.Art.Rgt.76 (Olt. Przybilla).
KGr Pössl is ordered to advance along the highway to Wilna and establish contact with Gruppe Tolsdorf. On the other hand KGr Stahl has the mission of securing the highway from enemy from the South and North and to form a blocking position at Vievis.
On the next morning, after a short delay, KGr Pössl is the first to move out at 07.30. Both Gen.Maj. von Waldenfels (Div.Kdr.) and Gen.Oberst Reinhardt (C.i.C. Pz.AOK3) go along with the advance group in a half track. The group is closely followed by a large supply column (for Gruppe Tolsdorff and Stahel). The surprise attack succeeds and encounters only light resistance and it's not until it reaches Vievis where it's checked by tank and anti-tank fire. The opposition is nevertheless quickly overran and the group continues its advance towards East. At 12.30, after advancing roughly 50 km into enemy territory KGr Pössl links up with Gruppe Tolsdorff at Rykonty, where it reinforces the latter's positions, while waiting for Gruppe Stahel to arrive from Wilna. In the meantime KGr Stahl also moves out to cover the KGr Pössl's overextended flanks and occupies the blocking positions at Vievus. In the late afternoon the first wounded are being transported back through the lines and until the next morning roughly 5,000 men pass through the narrow 50km corridor. Owing mostly to their own overextended lines, Russians are slowly to react and it's not until evening when they undertake several uncoordinated probe attacks, which are repulsed. On the next day, the Russian flank attacks lead to several critical situation but these too are mastered by support of Panthers and by late afternoon all elements of both KGr Pösll and KGr Stahl are pulled back and occupy new positions E of Kowno.
*Both SS-FJB500 and elements FJR16 participated in the relief effort but it's difficult to determine with which KGr they fought, so they could well have been with KGr Stahl.
Sources:
Paul, Wolfgang: Brennpunkte. Die Geschichte der 6.Panzer-Division (1.leichte). 1937-1945.
Jung, Hans-Joachim: Panzer Soldiers for "God, Honor, Fatherland". The history of Panzerregiment "Großdeutschland.
Schadewitz, Michael: Panzer-Regiment 11, Panzer-Abteilung 65, Panzer-Ersatz- und Ausbildungsabteilung 11 1939-1945
Michaelis, Rolf: Das Falschirmjäger-Bataillon 500/600
Munoz, Antonio: Forgotten Legions
Hinze, Rolf: Ostfront Drama 1944